ABSTRACT
Background/
Objective:
The
association between
appendicitis and
colon cancer is not yet fully understood. Previous studies have shown contradictory results. Currently, no
population-based data from
Germany are available with regard to the
incidence of
colon cancer following
appendicitis. This study investigated the
association between
appendicitis and the
incidence of
colon cancer in
Germany.
Methods:
In this retrospective
cohort study, the
incidence of
colon cancer was compared for
patients with
appendicitis and
patients without
appendicitis, matched for age,
sex, index year, average annual
consultation frequency, and
comorbidity. The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between
appendicitis and the
incidence of
colon cancer. The evaluation was carried out using
logistic regression analyses.
Results:
The study included 49,790 people with and without
appendicitis, with a median age of 41 years. During a follow-up period of up to 15 years, 1.04% of cases with
appendicitis and 0.60% of cases without
appendicitis were newly diagnosed with
colon cancer, with some 36.4% of
colon cancer cases diagnosed within the first six months after
appendicitis.
Regression analyses revealed a significant
association between
appendicitis and
colon cancer, particularly in
men and in the
age groups 41-50 (HR 10.30; 95% CI 1.03-43.82) and 18-30 years (HR 8.17; 95% CI 1.03-64.58).
Conclusions:
The present retrospective
cohort study suggests an
association between
appendicitis and the
incidence of
colon cancer in
Germany. Based on our results, we recommend offering a
colonoscopy or at least a stool test within 12 months after
appendicitis, especially for 18-50-year-olds and >60-year-olds in good
general health.
